Category: Album Reviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Declaration of Independence” – The Earth Republic

This morning I’ve been listening to Declaration of Independence, the solid debut EP from Sydney rockers The Earth Republic.

It’s a fitting name for the EP, which the band wrote and co-produced. This real independence allows the band to play around with their sound to deliver something that is eclectic, yet instantly accessible.

The opening track “Breaking It Again” is emotive and deeply powerful, if a little mournful after a couple of spins. I enjoyed it, but was thrilled to see the band switch gears for “Stop.” This song has one of the best bass lines I’ve ever heard, and that infectious groove makes this track one of the EP’s stand-outs for me. I also love “Vain,” a delightfully schitzophrenic song that swings wildly between rip-snorting riffs and more relaxed, jaunty rhythms. The closing track “Ready to Go,” really kicks along; I instantly thought it might be what Golden Earring would do if they were to write a sequel to “Radar Love.” Even if it is a bit derivative, it’s bags of fun.

The Earth Republic have generously posted all of the EP’s tracks online so you can hear them for yourself. Personally I’m impressed. The band hints at something really special here, and I have a feeling it’d be fully realised in the live arena. When a record makes you want to get out there and see the band on the stage, I think it’s done its job.

Image source: The Earth Republic website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Mushu” – Mushu

The self-titled EP from Sydney band Mushu crossed my desk earlier this week, and it’s taken up permanent residence in my stereo. In just six tracks this exciting act has made a big impression on me.

It all starts with the attention grabbing “Neap Tide,” a powerful track which juxtaposes gorgeous sweet harmonies with wailing guitars. It’s an interesting juxtaposition, but one that manages to work.

Mushu are no strangers to this kind of unlikely pairing. Lead singer Simone’s vocals are warm and lush, with a gentle emotional rasp. Her voice struck a real personal chord with me; it’s got a quiet feminine strength about it. It gets even stronger when paired with Mushu’s big sounds, those insistent guitars on “Neap Tide,” the pounding piano and driving strings of “Don’t Forget Me.”

The first half of the EP shocks your senses, while the second settles into a gentler groove. The music is more subtle here, although you’d never accuse it of fading into the background. “Paper Aeroplane” was a standout for me, with its gorgeous lyrics and compelling raw emotion. I was also shocked by the stunning crescendo the band builds in “Carousel Heart.”

In this EP Mushu have proven to be a band that’s impossible to ignore. In a sea of beige musical acts, that is a very good thing.

Mushu’s self-titled EP is available through iTunes.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Take From the Rich” – Haba Dudes

When Take From the Rich, the fourth studio album from Haba Dudes, landed on my desk I knew it’d be my type of album. The back of the sleeve shows the band proudly holding their interesting array of instruments: the cello, violin, and a mountain of different drums amongst them. That sleeve is also made of 100% eco-friendly recyclable materials. A green band that embraces instruments beyond your standard guitars and keys? I was in.

Take From the Rich thankfully lived up to my already lofty expectations. It’s one of those discs that slips around you easily, drawing you in with its relaxed, natural notes. Nothing here feels forced. With three albums already under their belt, the players know their instruments and what they’ve got to do. Together they create a lush, organic sound that is impossible to resist.

The songs are an eclectic mix. When I saw Haba Dudes standing on the back of the cover, surrounded by their instruments and suitcases I felt like they might be a band of gypsies. Tunes like the title track “Take From the Rich” and “Understand You” have that quirky, playful travelling band feel. But that’s just part of the Haba Dudes story. Other songs like “Paint That Hole in Your Heart” and “Early Morning” wouldn’t feel out of place on a Josh Pyke album; there’s a similar easy, acoustic folk feel about them. “Story of Cake” is another standout which is every bit as comforting and delicious as its name suggests. The album’s made all the more impressive when you realise that the disc was recorded, mixed, and produced independently in lead singer Mark Boulle’s home.

One of the album’s later tracks “The Nice Lament” seems to sum up the Haba Dudes. The song reminds us that they play for love, not for commercial airplay, fame, or fortune. They’re not a band who will be delivered to you via the ARIA Charts or Video Hits. You’ll need to seek them out. But you’ll be very glad you did.

Take From the Rich will be officially launched at The Loft at Chevron Island, Queensland on July 31. It’s available now from CD Baby.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Songs from the 86 Tram” – The Bedroom Philosopher

The concept album appears to be a dying art these days, but no one told The Bedroom Philosopher. With his third studio album Songs from the 86 Tram, the man otherwise known as Justin Heazelwood has created a vivid cast of commuters.

Each song is told from the point of view of a particular character, and The Bedroom Philosopher creates these personalities beautifully. Each is incredibly realised, with a unique voice and outlook. I was particularly fond of the nan of “In My Day,” and the self-important suit of “New Media.” “Sudanese” is another stand-out, a clever satire of multicultural Australia.

While these characters are Songs from the 86 Tram greatest strength, they’re also its biggest weakness. I found it quite difficult to understand the voices of many of the figures; they speak too softly, or too quickly, or with accents that I can’t quite grab onto. The music too tends to overwhelm the lyrics at times, making it difficult to pick up each and every word. There were other instances where I felt I was simply out of the loop. Perhaps it comes from living my life in suburban New South Wales, as a friend from Melbourne insists this album is one of the greatest he’s encountered. However I found that Victorian-centric approach difficult to embrace. Comedy is all about the message, and when you can’t communicate it – whether the message isn’t heard or simply not understood – that humour is lost.

Having said that, there’s a lot to like about The Bedroom Philosopher and his Songs from the 86 Tram. Musically it’s incredibly strong, and there are some genuinely funny moments. This is a very clever disc, but it might not be as clever as it thinks it is.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Mousetrap Heart” – Thirsty Merc

When Thirsty Merc burst onto the scene in 2003, I thought they were one of the most original local acts I’d heard in some time. But when they followed up their debut EP and self titled LP with a lackluster sophomore effort, Slideshows, I began to wonder whether we’d already seen their best.

It’s been three years since the release of Slideshows, and as I listened to their newie Mousetrap Heart today it seems the time away from the spotlight was a smart decision.

From the opening title track, this disc feels like the fresh Thirsty Merc of old. It’s got deep grooves and the quirky lyrics that endeared them to me all those years ago. This first single is a standout, but thankfully it’s not the only one. “Tommy and Krista” is a classic story song, with beautifully painted characters and a smile-inducing melody. “Bettie Page,” a nod to the vintage pinup model sees the boys rock out. It’s a welcome change of pace in this album of radio-friendly pop rock.

As any Thirsty Merc fan knows, the accessible nature of their music isn’t a criticism. Here Thirsty Merc have built on the promise they showed all those years ago; that originality is still there but it’s been given a bit of spit and polish by Los Angeles-based producer Matt Wallace. It’s not surprising to know he worked on Maroon 5’s Songs About Jane, as many of these songs would have sat nicely on that recording. There are a few missteps; “All My Life” is musically brilliant but contains lyrics so generic it’s hard to believe Thirsty Merc penned them, and the final two tracks seem sleepy and aimless. But no album is perfect. Thankfully though, with Mousetrap Heart, Thirsty Merc has come awfully close.

Mousetrap Heart hits all Aussie music stores today.

Image source: Thirsty Merc website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Beard of Bees” – Jez Mead

Nursing a post-Eurovision hangover, I needed just the right music to survive my Monday morning. I found it in Beard of Bees, the fantastic fourth album from Jez Mead.

It’s amazing that this guy has been releasing albums for so many years, yet he hasn’t crossed my radar until now. It’s a case of better late than never though. This record is accessible yet rich, just like Jez’s voice. His bluesy rasp brings a depth to the stripped back songs. The raw delivery is perfect for creating an air of honesty and spontaneity; I imagine these songs wouldn’t sound very different if you saw them performed in your local pub. There’s that same electricity that you feel while listening to a live set, that impalpable feeling that anything could happen.

The tunes are an eclectic mix, yet the pieces fit together beautifully. The title track is a rollicking acoustic alt-country number. “Town’s Too Small” feels as if it could have been plucked straight from the Deep South, with its hand-clapping rhythm and swampy feel. As with anything that Julia Stone touches, the duet “Devil” is delicate and gorgeous. The tender closer “Crooked” is blessedly understated and lovely.

Beard of Bees is a lush, complex album that has quite simply cast a spell over me. If like me you’d never heard of Jez Mead, this should be the record to change all that. Beard of Bees will be released on June 25.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Simple Shades of Grey” – Skarlet Blue

The release of Skarlet Blue’s Simple Shades of Grey sees the band’s transformation from Aussie pub act to sophisticated pop rockers complete. After years spent refining their sound, in just five tracks this Melbourne four-piece tells us what they’re all about.

This is a diverse collection of tracks; the first half is light, made up of tunes I can imagine sitting neatly on any Top 40 radio station in the country. The final songs are darker, the songs that give Skarlet Blue the chance to really rock out.

The opening track, “What Went Wrong” is a real stand-out. I love the way it builds from a mellow affair to a heartfelt song of love lost with soaring vocals. “Finally Found You” and “Hiding Pictures” follow, two good fun melodic rock songs with wonderful sing-along choruses. While I enjoyed these tunes, they also made me wonder whether Skarlet Blue where just another middle-of-the-road pop-rock act.

It was a fleeting thought though, one that was banished when the final tunes kicked in. “Standing Alone” and the title track see the band treading much moodier territory. While these songs see the band moving in a less commercial direction, they never forget melody as so many hard rock acts do. That grounding makes these songs instantly accessible, even if they do veer left of centre.

In Simple Shades of Grey, Skarlet Blue have proved that all those years developing their sound have been well spent. They show great promise here, and while the five tracks make a real impact I have a feeling they only start telling this band’s story. I’m looking forward to seeing what Skarlet Blue can do in a long-play format.

Image source: Skarlet Blue MySpace page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Everywhere is Home” – Paul Greene

Making my way to Mother’s Day lunch yesterday was the ideal occasion to discover Paul Greene’s new album, Everywhere is Home. The album title hints at it, but this really is the perfect travel CD with its gentle grooves and mellow acoustic melodies.

The opener, “Ease Up,” tells us what we’re in for, reminding us that the journey is often just as important as the destination so we should all ease up and enjoy the ride. That gentle touch is prevalent throughout Paul’s music; he’s not the kind of artist that grabs you and shakes you. He sneaks up on you, charming you slowly. I enjoyed this album on its first spin, but now on my fourth or fifth time around I’m in love.

“Everybody Got a Little Love” is a standout, with its classic blues groove. I could imagine “You Should Know” appearing on a Donovan album; there’s something deliciously retro about its slightly psychedelic folk feel. The closer, “Stay On,” sees Paul completely stripped back and stunning.

Everywhere is Home sits nicely between my Josh Pyke and Ray Lamontagne albums. If you’re a fan of these artists, you’re going to eat Paul Greene’s latest disc it up. This is an album that gets to the heart of music, without bells and whistles and pretension.

Image source: Paul Greene website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“We’re Not Alone” – Chemical Transport

Chemical Transport have burst onto the music scene with their debut EP We’re Not Alone. This is the kind of recording that grabs you instantly with its big hooks and energy. It’s not too different from the kind of pop-punk we’ve seen from so many American acts in recent years, but that’s not a bad thing.

While the first few songs didn’t strike me as incredibly innovative, they were very slick and immensely likable. It’s not the kind of music I usually warm to, yet I found myself tapping my feet to those infectious beats.

Perhaps I’m being a little too harsh on the lads, but their anti-scenesters tag made me expect something which turned music on its head. This EP isn’t it, but it does hint that the band has the potential to create something which does push the envelope. After the upbeat sounds of opening tracks “Alluropoda” and “We’re Not Alone,” the earnest love song “The Hardest Goodbye” took me by surprise. It was exciting to see another side of the band revealed, and it’s one I hope they explore more in future releases. The atmospheric instrumental closer “Melanoleuca” was another bolt from the blue. It’s not the kind of thing I expected to hear on this EP, and that’s exactly why I like it.

On We’re Not Alone, Chemical Transport hint at the exciting sounds they’re capable of. They’re not wowing me yet, but this disc suggests that given time they could.

Image source: Chemical Transport MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Calling All Magicians” – Danielle Spencer

When Danielle Spencer’s latest album Calling All Magicians arrived in my letterbox I could scarcely wait to put it in my stereo. Her 2001 debut White Monkey wasn’t just one of my favourite albums of that year; it remains one of my favourite albums of all time. But, I also felt a little trepidation. That album was conceived a long time ago, a time before her marriage to actor Russell Crowe and the birth of their two children. Could she create an album that moved me in the same way now that her life has entered a much calmer phase?

Happily, and perhaps surprisingly, I found that the answer was yes. While other strong female artists like Tori Amos, Melissa Etheridge, and Alanis Morisette have mellowed since their awe-inspiring debuts, Danielle is still an artist who enjoys the darkness.

While mentioning Tori Amos it’s impossible not to draw comparisons between the two musicians. Just like Tori, Danielle’s music is characterised by her ethereal voice and pounding piano. Yet Danielle is no imitator. Her lyrics tell her own stories, and their allusions to magic and fairytales are compellingly whimsical. Those allusions give Calling All Magicians a wonderfully familiar feel to anyone who enjoyed her first release. The track “Back at the Red Door” even acts as a sequel of sorts to the White Monkey song “Cartoon.”

Danielle doesn’t dwell in the shadows altogether though. “On Your Side” has a playful jaunt to it, and there’s a calm beauty about the closer “End of Story.” We get the impression that for all the darkness, Danielle is in a pretty good place.

Calling All Magicians is a lush and evocative collection of songs, an album that’s one of the best I’ve heard this year. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you loved Danielle’s debut I can guarantee you’re going to adore it. And if you’ve never experienced her music, I encourage you give it a spin.

Image source: Chaos